Beth Moore Conference-Baltimore 2011
THE NET
Main passage: Psalm 25:1-22
Main verse: Psa 25:15- He will pull my feet out of the net.
This is an intertwining. A "network" is a way of being combined knot by knot (like the internet)...it is called a "web"....it is connected by links. We have to be careful not to be caught in a "net".
Things to know about NETS
1. A NET IS SOMETHING YOU DON'T SEE COMING.
We don't realize we are on the net...but it starts to fold up around us. Sometimes we don't even know how we got there. We wonder, "where did we go wrong"....but our "heels" are caught in the net!
A net can also fall over your head. Isa ( I missed the reference...sorry)
The enemy will not cast a net that is in full view. Prov 1:17.
Whole nations can fall into a net Psa. 9:15
When Ecclesiastes was written, this part was written for men Eccl 7: 26-a woman can be a net that is set for the heart.
Is there any way that MY heart has become a net??
2. A HEART CAN TWIST INTO A NET
Consider: Eccl. 7:26 It seems probable a heart that is a net, was born into a net or has always been a net.
Some Examples of heart twisting into a net:
a. Women who have one friend who has to be everything to them....it gets tangled up and causes drama.
b a woman who will not let go....that can be a woman-woman relationship or a woman-man relationship. She wants to "net" you with her affection/love and you feel obligated to her. A way to say this is "ingratiation" or to make oneself indispensable. To bring one's self into favor with flattery or trying to please.
Prov 29:5- Trying to win favor by flattery (vs says laying a net with flattery)
Flattery has a motive. It is always about the one flattering and not about the one they flatter. It's deceptive and we can become addicted to affirmation....or someone continually blowing up your ego. The flattery becomes a net for your feet and can turn our heart to a net.
Be careful of a person who can get you to open up with them about anything and yet you don't know much about them. This is emotional voyerism. Then you can't "leave" the relationship or it is difficult to leave because they know too much about you.
Habakkuk 1: 15-17 Others can become like a "fisherman" by catching you on their hook. In this passage, the Israelites gave sacrifices to a net, burned incense to it and lived in luxury in it. It became hard to say goodbye because it became a way of life to them.
This net will cost you more than you have!
Some modern day examples: the internet. Your phone. The TV. A person. Anything in which you are not able to leave it/them alone.
3. SHAME CAN KNOT UP AN INSIDIOUS NET
Psa 25:15- Where we look with our eyes had a lot to do with where our feet end up.
Psa. 25:1-3, 19-20 The psalmist was scared of being put to shame. Think about how shame itself can become a net.
SHAME
a. the innate fear of bringing shame
b. the innate fear of being shamed
How much shame is mentioned in verses 1-10?
In Heb. 12 it says to despise the shame. Jesus despised the shame and yet He took it upon Himself on our behalf.
Shame can pop up anywhere:
Socially, psychologically, occupationally, financially, professionally, and religiously. The enemy is at work!
Psa 25: 7, 11, 18- The writer had shame. He said: Do not remember sin but remember ME! We are pre-ordained to do something on this earth. But Satan wants us caught in a net to keep us from our purpose.
vs 11 and 18-Shame keeps us embedded in sin long after the repentance. If you have repented and still feel shame them something is wrong. Then you start to think that since we have the guilt, then we may as well just go back to it...this is Satan's thinking.
Shame is Satan's mockery to God's children. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Shame can even affect your posture. (downward). Luke 21: 27-28 says to LIFT UP YOUR HEAD.....when the ultimate Redeemer returns...we will see Him when we keep our eyes UP!
Psa 130:7 Hope! Hope keeps us from shame. Full Redemption! We can have it!
The POWER of all we have been through can be used for testimony and for full release!! Not only difused but USED! Make the enemy sorry he messed with you! God will not only HEAL but you will TESTIFY!
Guilt is when you KNOW it but shame is when you WEAR it. Don't wear it!
BUT---how much shame is due to unconfessed sin? Our redemption comes from Him. Confess your guilt and sin. We are all called to such authenticity of life, that if our worse sins were exposed, it would not contadict our public testimony!
Choose to believe what God says over how you FEEL.
The net of negativity.
To get out of this net....we need only lift our hand up. God's power will lift you.
Satan is too good of an aim to try something new on you. He hits your repeatedly where you are uncovered. Be aware of him and of your weaknesses and be ready.
The nets in the New Testament are cast in a positive light.
4. THE GOSPEL CASTS A NEW KIND OF NET
Luke 5: 1-11
Jesus turns from the crowd and speaks to Peter. Jesus had met Peter in chapter 4:38, 39. Peter had asked for Jesus help and Peter had believed Him to heal his mother in law. When Jesus asked Peter to cast his net again, Peter believed Him and obeyed. He could have talked himself out of a miracle but he followed Jesus's words.
The miracle at Peter's home in chapter 4 probably would have affected women more. The miracle at Peter's place of employment caught his heart more. Jesus was better than what Peter was best at...fishing.
What Peter did at work, better prepared him for the ministry of fishing for men. What WE work at, will help us prepare for our ministry.
2 Cor 5-Paul talking about a body being like a tent...Paul was a tentmaker...he used what he learned at his work to minister to others.
5. GOSPEL FISHING IS CATCH AND RELEASE.
Some don’t accept Christ because they feel they will be in religious bondage for life. But we are released from all that holds us...we are free.
Jesus knew what He was doing when He called md. If we fall, it is time to get up.
Luke 5:10 says...from now on, you will catch man. "from now on"..... if you have sinned, get up and say..".from now on......" (this may be her next study).
Give up that net! What is done is done! Jesus has redeemed it! Vs. 10 in Luke says do not be afraid. Leave it from now on. I Cor. 2:9...this is what He will do!!
Remember in relationships....."BONDAGE ATTRACTS BONDAGE"
Ezekiel 47:1-2 A vision is given to Ezekiel. It is prophecy. It is literal but it is also symbolic.
Be careful of condemning and worrying about Denominations. These are "rib" issues. We should only stand in the "spine" of Christ. The non-negotionable issues are spine issues....such as salvation is thru Christ alone and the death and resurrection of Christ. This leaves a lot of room for loving one another. The rest are "rib" issues...such as the 1000 year reign, etc.
Rom 8 says the earth is groaning as it waits for it's King. Isa 65:20-we shall all be like Him. And the earth will be exactly as He designed it to be.
Read Ezk. 47: 7,8. This is the Dead Sea. The Jordan River constantly empties millions of gallons of water into the Dead Sea but the surface doesn't ever rise because it is so dry. This will change at His return. Fresh water will come to the Dead Sea (vs 8). "Fresh" in Hebrew means "human healing". But even the waters in the Dead Sea will heal. In 47: 3-5... It will first be ankle deep, then knee deep, then up to the waist till the water rises and cannot be crossed! No matter how deep our sin goes, Christ will be a Healer and you will flourish like the Dead Sea!
6. NETS WILL ONE DAY BE CAST INTO MENDED WATERS.
The full extent of it's fulfillment is yet to come! Take heart! It all turns out very well!!!
Our prince is coming on a white horse and we will live happily ever after!
In these difficult days, all is going according to His plan! Ezek. 47:11-after the waters are healed, God will leave some salt to be used for domestic purposes.
vs 13- Water is flowing and healing. The Holy Spirit in us is our earnest deposit. Now this verse turns to the inheritance of His people.
From the beginning, the Israelites had had an inheritance on the OTHER side of the water. In the New testament, there is no more parting of the waters. Jesus didn't have to part them. He walked on them!
Then..in verse 5 of Eze. 47-we are swimming in the river!! We inherit the RIVER!! The River of living water in us.
So don't get caught in the net!
